Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) has revised its pricing strategy for vehicles entering the island in an attempt to encourage more to use public transport.

This is aimed at improving traffic conditions in view of the opening of Resorts World Sentosa later this month.

Private vehicles entering Sentosa from January 18 will pay a charge, which varies according to the time and day.

For example, it will cost S$6 to enter the island between 7am and just before noon on weekdays. On weekends and public holidays, it will cost S$7 between 7am and 7pm.

Currently, each private vehicle is charged S$2 and each passenger in the vehicle must pay an additional S$2 when entering Sentosa.

Parking will also become more expensive with the implementation of time-based charges.

The measures are part of SDC's traffic management plan to encourage car pooling.

"If you have a highly occupied vehicle, you pay less per head. If it's one or two people in the vehicle, you pay more. I would encourage you, if you're on your own or a couple of friends, to use public transport; it's cheaper and it's easier," said Mike Barclay, CEO of SDC.

To entice visitors to use the Sentosa shuttle bus service, its fare has also been reduced from S$3 to S$2. There are also plans to introduce a public bus service in Sentosa.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has also upgraded the road system leading to Sentosa to ensure there is sufficient capacity to cope with the expected increase in traffic.

"All the road network expansion will increase the road capacity by up to 30 per cent in the area, which will further enhance traffic flow around the Telok Blangah junction into and out of Sentosa," said Yam Ah Mee, chief executive of LTA.

In addition, LTA will construct the Sentosa Gateway Tunnel, targeted to be completed by 2015. This will further cater to the expected growth in traffic.

When the integrated resort is fully opened, visitorship to Sentosa is set to more than double from the six million people who visit the island each year. - CNA /ls